The '''Genuine Orthodox Church of America''' (GOCA) is an independent [[Old Calendarists|Old Calendarist]] [[jurisdiction]] based in Buena Vista, Colorado, which sees itself as the only legitimate Orthodox church in America. It is not in [[full communion|communion]] with any Orthodox body. However, it has in the past claimed to maintain communion with the [[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Lamian Synod)|Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece]], headed by Abp. Makarios of Athens. Both Archbishop Makarios himself and his synod have repeatedly stated in official documents that they have no association whatsoever with this group. The GOAC is headed by Abp. [[Gregory (George) of Denver]].

The '''Genuine Orthodox Church of America''' (GOCA) is an independent [[Old Calendarists|Old Calendarist]] [[jurisdiction]] based in Buena Vista, Colorado, which sees itself as the only legitimate Orthodox church in America. It is not in [[full communion|communion]] with any Orthodox body. However, it has in the past claimed to maintain communion with the [[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Lamian Synod)|Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece]], headed by Abp. Makarios of Athens. Both Archbishop Makarios himself and his synod have repeatedly stated in official documents that they have no association whatsoever with this group. The GOAC is headed by Abp. [[Gregory (George) of Denver]].

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The GOAC was formed out of a group originally under the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]], which later joined two Greek Old Calendarist jurisdictions (namely, that of Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Athens and Archbishop Makarios of Athens), followed by the [[Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church]] (ROAC) (2000), and is now independent following the ROAC's deposition and excommunication of Abp. Gregory (2004).<ref name="ROAC1"> [http://www.roacusa.org/Protocol48.htm ROAC: Protocol № 48 July 2/15, 2004], accessed 28 July 2007</ref><ref name="ROAC2">[http://www.roacusa.org/Ukaz130.htm ROAC: Ukaz № 130]</ref> With its history of being a part of various jurisdictions, the Genuine Orthodox Church of America tends to be in a constant state of hostility toward its former affiliations.

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The GOAC was formed out of a group originally under the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]], which later joined three Greek Old Calendarist jurisdictions rapidly in succession (namely, that of Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Athens, the short-lived Synod of Kallinikos of the Duodecanese and Archbishop Makarios of Athens), followed by the [[Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church]] (ROAC) (2000), and is now independent following the ROAC's [[deposition]] and [[excommunication]] of Abp. Gregory (2004).<ref name="ROAC1"> [http://www.roacusa.org/Protocol48.htm ROAC: Protocol № 48 July 2/15, 2004], accessed 28 July 2007</ref><ref name="ROAC2">[http://www.roacusa.org/Ukaz130.htm ROAC: Ukaz № 130]</ref> With its history of being a part of various jurisdictions, the Genuine Orthodox Church of America tends to be in a constant state of hostility toward its former affiliations.

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The jurisdiction's bishop, [[Gregory (George) of Denver]] (born an [[AOCA|Antiochian]]), who was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated to the episcopacy]] in the ROAC, claims to be "the only hierarch in the United States who has remained free of any communion or union with this heresy of [[Ecumenism]] who has valid [[apostolic succession]]," and thus claims "to be truly canonical."<ref name="GOCA History">[http://www.gocamerica.org/history_canonicity.shtml Genuine Orthodox Church of America: History & Canonicity], accessed 28 July 2007</ref>

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The jurisdiction's [[primate]], [[Gregory (George) of Denver]] (born an [[AOCA|Antiochian]]), who was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated to the episcopacy]] in the ROAC, claims to be "the only hierarch in the United States who has remained free of any communion or union with this heresy of [[Ecumenism]] who has valid [[apostolic succession]]," and thus claims "to be truly canonical."<ref name="GOCA History">[http://www.gocamerica.org/history_canonicity.shtml Genuine Orthodox Church of America: History & Canonicity], accessed 28 July 2007</ref>

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In 2007, being isolated from every Orthodox bishop in the world, Archbishop Gregory received Archbishop Ambrose (Moran-Dolgorouky) of New York City, an independent bishop, into communion. After his reception, he participated in the consecration of Archimandrite John (Egan) of Dormition Skete, along with Archbishop Gregory. Since the reception of a bishop can only be canonically accomplished by a Synod, Archbishop Gregory initially claimed that Archbishop Makarios of Athens gave him verbal consent for the reception over the telephone. Later, this was proved to be untrue. Six months later, Archbishop Ambrose seceded from communion with Archbishop Gregory and returned to his former status as an independent bishop. Since the consecration of Bishop John was administered by only two bishops, one of whom was uncanonically received into the Church and of questionable apostolic succession, the status of the GOCA has become even more isolated.

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In 2007, Archbishop Gregory received Archbishop Ambrose (Moran-Dolgorouky) of New York City, one of many [[episcopi vagantes]] who claim to have been consecrated by independent Ukrainian bishops, into the GOCA. After his reception, he participated in the consecration of Archimandrite John (Egan) as Bishop of Colorado Springs, along with Archbishop Gregory, on January 6, 2008. Since the reception of a bishop can only be canonically accomplished by a [[synod]], Archbishop Gregory initially claimed that Archbishop Makarios of Athens gave him verbal consent for the reception over the telephone. This was vehemently denied by both Archbishop Makarios and his Synod of Bishops. Six months later, Archbishop Ambrose left the GOCA and returned to his former status as an independent bishop. Since the consecration of Bishop John was administered by only two bishops, one of whom was uncanonically received into the Church and possessed questionable [[apostolic succession]], the GOCA has become completely isolated from other [[Old Calendarist]] communities. A number of members of those communities issued condemnations immediately after his unjustified separation from the ROAC.

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The GOCA currently has two bishops, 2 monastic communities, and 4 mission parishes in the United States, plus oversees 29 parishes in the Congo, Uganda, Brazil, Italy, and Bulgaria.

The jurisdiction is supported mainly by profits from the [[iconography]] and publishing work of its two monastic centers, [[Dormition Skete (Buena Vista, Colorado)|Dormition Skete]] and [[Holy Apostles Convent (Buena Vista, Colorado)|Holy Apostles Convent]], both in Buena Vista.

The jurisdiction is supported mainly by profits from the [[iconography]] and publishing work of its two monastic centers, [[Dormition Skete (Buena Vista, Colorado)|Dormition Skete]] and [[Holy Apostles Convent (Buena Vista, Colorado)|Holy Apostles Convent]], both in Buena Vista.

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==See also==

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*[[Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece]]

==External links==

==External links==

Latest revision as of 20:12, December 22, 2012

The Genuine Orthodox Church of America (GOCA) is an independent Old Calendaristjurisdiction based in Buena Vista, Colorado, which sees itself as the only legitimate Orthodox church in America. It is not in communion with any Orthodox body. However, it has in the past claimed to maintain communion with the Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece, headed by Abp. Makarios of Athens. Both Archbishop Makarios himself and his synod have repeatedly stated in official documents that they have no association whatsoever with this group. The GOAC is headed by Abp. Gregory (George) of Denver.

The GOAC was formed out of a group originally under the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, which later joined three Greek Old Calendarist jurisdictions rapidly in succession (namely, that of Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Athens, the short-lived Synod of Kallinikos of the Duodecanese and Archbishop Makarios of Athens), followed by the Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church (ROAC) (2000), and is now independent following the ROAC's deposition and excommunication of Abp. Gregory (2004).[1][2] With its history of being a part of various jurisdictions, the Genuine Orthodox Church of America tends to be in a constant state of hostility toward its former affiliations.

In 2007, Archbishop Gregory received Archbishop Ambrose (Moran-Dolgorouky) of New York City, one of many episcopi vagantes who claim to have been consecrated by independent Ukrainian bishops, into the GOCA. After his reception, he participated in the consecration of Archimandrite John (Egan) as Bishop of Colorado Springs, along with Archbishop Gregory, on January 6, 2008. Since the reception of a bishop can only be canonically accomplished by a synod, Archbishop Gregory initially claimed that Archbishop Makarios of Athens gave him verbal consent for the reception over the telephone. This was vehemently denied by both Archbishop Makarios and his Synod of Bishops. Six months later, Archbishop Ambrose left the GOCA and returned to his former status as an independent bishop. Since the consecration of Bishop John was administered by only two bishops, one of whom was uncanonically received into the Church and possessed questionable apostolic succession, the GOCA has become completely isolated from other Old Calendarist communities. A number of members of those communities issued condemnations immediately after his unjustified separation from the ROAC.

The GOCA currently has two bishops, 2 monastic communities, and 4 mission parishes in the United States, plus oversees 29 parishes in the Congo, Uganda, Brazil, Italy, and Bulgaria.